And then, when I received a most-amazing-package-of-goodies from Silhouette full of their specialty media, I thought: this is fuel to my photo-booth-creating fire! And I set to work to DIY my own props.

Here’s the full tutorial, so you can incorporate a photo booth into your future wedding or parties!

Photo Booth Props Tutorial:

Step 1. Create your designs. In scouring the world-wide-web for ideas for my photo booth props, I came across a really helpful resource from the blog, Oh Happy Day. Jordan shares several posts with free printables of photo booth props she designed, and here’s the one I used. Since this is a pdf file, I used a free pdf to jpg converter to then copy and paste the pages I wanted to trace into Silhouette Studio. (I pulled the small mustache, top hat, monocle, trendy glasses, and my personal fave, the Batman mask). The best part is that the props are already sized properly, so I just adjusted my page size to “Letter” in my Page Tools window and fit my copy-and-pasted page to that size prior to tracing.

Then, I found free clip art files for the other 9 props I wanted to create. I’m happy to share those diddies with y’all today to save you some precious time. Just click on the image below to download the cut file from box.com. {Fine print: This design is for personal use and not to be used for commercial purposes.}

Step 2. Cut your designs. So, I actually used three different types of specialty media for this project: chipboard, adhesive-backed cardstock, and double-sided adhesive. And I used ZERO glue to assemble them. Three cheers for less mess! Hip hip….

First, I cut all 14 shapes out in chipboard to give my props a sturdy foundation (I want these puppies to last through many a hoppin’ party). I actually used an old blade for this step because I’ve found that cutting cardstock dulls the blade rather quickly…so I just used a higher blade setting to get a clean cut.

Then, I divided my props into two groups:

Adhesive-Backed Cardstock

The first group would use adhesive-backed cardstock in black (top hat, Batman mask, monocle, 2 mustaches, pipe) with a few embellishments in white (top hat and monocle).

The adhesive-backed cardstock was super easy to work with! In fact, I really wish I had used this material when creating Justine and Andrew’s wedding scrapbook! It would have made the process so much more speedy.

It took me just a few minutes to cut the shapes in black and white and stick them to my chipboard pieces. Easy peasy.

Double-Sided Adhesive

The second group would use double-sided adhesive in order to be glitter-ized and flocking-powder-ized (yes, those are words): the 5 sets of glasses, bow-tie, pouty lips, and crown.

I was really eager to try this material, especially after hearing great things about it from my friend Meredith at unOriginal Mom (check out her glitter monogrammed pumpkin project using double-sided adhesive here).

So, I followed the instructions in my idea book, positioning the sheet of double-sided adhesive white side up on my mat when cutting.

I even got to use the handy dandy spatula tool that came with my kit to gently lift the cut-outs that remained on my mat.

I weeded out the designs so they match my chipboard cut-outs. Then, I was ready for the fun part!

Step 3. Bling it on! So, I decided to work outside for this part because when it comes to glitter, we all know this to be true.

I laid a fresh piece of newsprint down on my surface in between each prop to help make clean-up easier.

First, I removed the yellow liner from the back of one of my double-sided adhesive cut-outs. The tricky part is making sure you remove just the backing and not the adhesive along with it.

Then, I applied the adesive to the corresponding chipboard cut-out, carefully matching up the two designs as closely as possible. I gave it a good hard press.

I slowly peeled off the white liner, ensuring that the adhesive had transferred to the chipboard.

Glitter time! Next I sprinkled my glitter all over the adhesive or “liberally” as my instruction guides put it. (I tend to have a liberal stance toward glitter, don’t you?)

Then, I used the paint brush that came with my kit to first brush the glitter all over the adhesive, making sure it was well applied, and then brush away the excess.

After, I was able to fold the newsprint in half and carefully pour the excess glitter back into the container for next time.

Then, it was onto a fresh sheet of newsprint and a new prop! I used both the extra-fine glitter that came in my kit as well as the regular “chunky” kind that one gets at craft stores. The former definitely covers the surface area better, but they both look fantastic in my opinion. I even ventured into flocking powder for the first time since that came with my kit. It left a fuzzy, velvety finish in some bright n’ bold colors, and I’m definitely a fan!

If I were doing this again, I would have first started with the flocking powder, then moved onto the fine glitter, and finished with the chunky glitter…but only a perfectionist like me is going to be bugged by the flecks of glitter in the flocking. #perfectionistproblems #imworkingonit

Step 4. Glue your designs to wooden dowels. I picked up some extra-thin wooden dowels at Jo-Ann’s for 29 cents a yard. (They were so thin, I could cut them in half with Cutco Super Sheers. I’m sure clipping sheers would work, too. Or your brute strength.) I painted them black and sealed them with Zinsser Bulls Eye Shellac Spray.

Then, I just glued those suckers onto the prop cut-outs, alternating between orienting them on the left and right sides. The flimsiest prop is definitely the monocle, and that needed dabs of glue in three spots to stabilize it, but everything else was smooth sailing.

And there you have it! 14 prop pieces, cut, assembled, and blinged out…just waiting for some cheesy smiles and the flash of the photo booth camera to bring them to life! (Eek! I cannot wait until Saturday.)

And I may have given them a test-run.

It doesn’t take much to entertain me. {Smile.}

Photo Booth Backdrop

I even created a backdrop to go along with our Photo Booth…and it was both easy & inexpensive. Check it out:

Click HERE to access the special October Silhouette deals running today through next Thursday, October 24th!

Silhouette Giveaway!

As the grand finale to this post, let’s have a giveaway, shall we?

PIN ME to earn 2 entries!

Just follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below and gain up to 12 entries today. This giveaway runs through 11:59 pm Sunday, October 20th, and you can come back every day from now until then and gain 4 more entries per day by sharing the giveaway on Pinterest and Twitter. {So many chances to win!} And be sure to stop back on Monday, October 21st when I’ll announce the winner and share a new specialty media tutorial…because I just can’t get enough.

{Fine print: This giveaway is open to anyone with a U.S. shipping address, 18 years of age and older. Be sure to check out the rest of the giveaway terms and conditions in the Rafflecopter widget below.}

Full Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post; however, I received free product in exchange for an honest review. This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase using my code, I receive a small commission. Please rest assured that as always, I only recommend products that I use and love. And I seriously heart my Silhouette Cameo!

Laura, what a sweet comment! I’m so delighted to know you get new ideas during your visits here to The Thinking Closet. That seriously motivates me to keep creating quality content for my awesome readers.

We had our party last night and these props were put into action, and they are still going strong. The flocking is on there REAL good (haven’t noticed any coming off) and of the glitter, the Silhouette brand glitter probably stays on best because it’s so thin…I’ve noticed some flecks of glitter here and there, but nothing too crazy. I’ve used spray shellac on glitter before to “seal” it and might consider doing that with these just to preserve them for the long haul. Overall, I’m really impressed! This adhesive is my new favorite product!

You would rock them so well, Candace – – I can almost see it now! And I, too, am lamenting the fact that we don’t live closer. The fun factor in my life would be THROUGH THE ROOF if Candace could come over to play!

That’s how it went for me last year, Kimberly! I entered a million and one Silhouette giveaways, didn’t win any, and must have mentioned how much I wanted one enough to my hubby that he surprised me with one for Christmas. It was worth every penny of our money and then some!

Tanya, I mentioned it briefly, but it might be easy to miss – – because the freebie props from Oh Happy Day were already sized properly, I just used those as a guide for my new ones. But you could always just use the ruler tool in your Designer Ed. to make sure the glasses were actually sized for a regular human-sized face!

Ha ha. I am rather happy most of the time. (Except when I got to the dentist. Or the DMV. Or when my flight is delayed.) But most of the time! And especially when I’m making things with my hands or riding bikes with my hubby. That’s when I’m most happy!

Being a Batman fanatic makes you actually the coolest kid on the block in my book – – and anything but a nerd. (We’re slightly Batman obsessed over here. So, knowing you are, too, makes me love you all the more, Jenna!)

Aw…yes, I wish you had been here, too, Sharon. I know we’d have been giggling for hours on end. And thanks for the vote of confidence with the party. We had a fantastic time last night – – can’t wait to share pics later this week!

I know that feeling, Maria! That’s where I was at about a year ago. I had just seen SO many amazing tutorials, I thought, “I’ve gotta get my hands on machine.” My lucky clover came in the form of a Christmas gift…hoping yours comes in a giveaway soon!

Sooooo cute! I hosted a Mary Kay party, and turned it into an actual fun girl’s night with a photo booth, since I didn’t want it to be like a “you-must-buy-something” party. I purchased a few props from random places like Hobby Lobby and Dollar Tree, but this is even better, making your own!

Well hello there, Lauren! I’m was so happy to see this post, it really looks like you had a ton of fun at your party! That photo booth was an awesome idea! 😀
As for your Silhouette question: I think I’d most like to try the adhesive backed cardstock. The possibilities are endless there!
Thanks so much for hosting this giveaway, I hope someday to own a Silhouette, I’m actually DYING to get one, so here’s to hoping! 🙂 🙂 🙂

Hello, Andrea! Thanks for your detailed response. We had our party last night, and it was quite a fun time. Can’t wait to share pics from the event later this week! And the adhesive-backed cardstock was SO easy to work with; perhaps the easiest of all the Silhouette mediums I’ve tried, so great selection, Andrea! Thanks for entering the giveaway, and I hope you get your creative hands on one sooner than later, girl.

Lauren, those are so cute and turned out so well! Just in time for all the holiday parties coming up! they will be a definite hit! I just know it! Good thing you gave them a test run- you gotta make sure they work properly first!

Lauren, stop!! I can’t believe how awesome these props are!! You are a genius. Pinning and sharing on my FB page tomorrow. And I’m hoping to win a Silhouette!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hugs,
Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com

It’d be a heap of fun at a holiday party, for sure! You could even create some holiday-themed props like reindeer antlers and Santa hats! (Now, you’ve got me thinking of my next batch of props….) Thanks!

You know, I want a Silhoutte so much, that I’m not going to be picky over “the best” special media product! I like them all!
And I thought I was already cyber-stalking you much more than I was…I hadn’t even liked your page on FB from my personal page until tonight! (Shame on me!) 🙂
No, really…I want to win…

Ha ha. I’m complimented by your cyber-stalking, and no worries about the FB page! Honored by the follow (I’m already following you – – I think from the pre-Haven FB book group list). Hoping you get that Silhouette soon, Brooke. You’d churn out some seriously awesome creations, I just know it! Best of luck!

I would love a Silhouette so I can finally create some of your amazing ideas! I’d also use it for my events (I’m currently getting my bachelor’s in Hospitality Management with a focus in Conventions, Meetings, and Event Planning). This would give me a wonderful leg up on the private events I currently consult on.

I had a photo booth at my daughter’s last birthday party and we had so much fun with it! These props would have been perfect for that event! I’m hopping over from Inspire Me Please (my link up was #9 Orange and Chocolate Halloween Cookies)

Girrrrl, you know you and Alex have a standing invitation to come and visit us anytime, for any party or ordinary day. In fact, just having you two in our household would be an instant party, I am sure of that!

Oh my word! The Silhouette products are just never-ending! I would LOVE to try these out!! Okay, this is what I’d love to win – of course the Portrait or Cameo, the adhesive kraft paper, clear sticker paper, temporary tattoo paper, printable cotton canvas, the chipboard, the printable silver foil, the printable magnet paper and the double-sided adhesive. Oh, that’s probably everything! LOL. I have so many ideas!!! Come oooonnn Silhouette!!!
Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com

Marilyn, I have now tried the chipboard, double-sided adhesive, glitter, printable silver foil, printable tattoo paper, and adhesive-backed cardstock…and I’m seriously loving them all! But of them all, I’ve now used the adhesive-backed cardstock and double-sided adhesive on multiple projects, so those seem to best suit me and my crafting tendencies. But I also just haven’t had the time to dive into the others yet, and I know they’re going to be just as fun. Ahhh! So much crafting to do, so many fun supplies, so little time. But instead of freaking out about it, I’ll just advise you to consider your upcoming projects or what mediums feel most like YOU. You may want to create cute kraft paper labels for sealing up baked goods or clear sticker paper for labeling glass jars with spices…the possibilities are endless. You know where to find me if you have more specific questions. 🙂

And the last day of the 30% off promo is today (Thursday), but free shipping runs through the end of the month if you can’t decide right away.

P.S. Apologies for this spastic response! I don’t know what came over me. Decisions over favorite Silhouette supplies clearly does something wacky to me. Ha ha.

Here come the belated comments from your sistah. 😀 Again, better late than never! I love this photo booth idea. And I especially love that you did it for a costume party…photo booths don’t only have to be at weddings. In fact, for my surprise bday party last year we ended the night with some photo booth action! I also don’t think I’ve ever seen a batman mask before, and that’s awesome. Plus, you look AMAZING in orange by the by.

Hi, I’m trying to download the free cut file for the silhouette (the photo booth props) but it won’t let me download. Is that .studio extension specifically for the silhouette software. I have that on my computer but it still won’t open. Any suggestions on maybe why it’s not?

Heather, thanks so much for alerting me to this issue. I actually ended up calling up box.com today to get it figured out, and it looks like it’s an issue on their end. Off to email it to you at the me.com address! Let me know if it doesn’t come through. (And yes, the .studio file can only be opened in Silhouette Studio.)

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I’m a New York gal putting down new roots in Orlando, Florida with my hubby and our sailboat. My heart skips a beat for all things creative, be it crafting, upcycling, sewing, journaling…especially blogging. If I can make you smile or ignite in you a spark of inspiration, then my job is done here. Won’t you grab a cup of chai, a comfy blanket, and stay a while? {read more...}

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